Just a tease
BK will have a formal practice report coming later today, but called me from the freeway to give y'all a Cliffs Notes rundown. In a nutshell, Pau Gasol participated during all of today's practice and assuming there's no negative reaction as a result of said participation, he should be on the court tomorrow against the Blazers. His actual PT is still up in the air, but that would indeed be a step forward. And while Andrew Bynum didn't take part in the practice proceedings, he did run the court today, supporting his body weight in its entirety (as opposed to work on the Lakers' futuristic, space age treadmill, which takes up some of the pressure for him). Obviously, he won't be suiting up tomorrow, but Drew will head out on the road with the team on Saturday, meaning there are hopes alive for action either Sunday in Sacto or a week from today in Portland.
UPDATE: (3:14) So you know, If I had to guess if Drew would actually play on the trip, the answer is no. PJ said he wants him there to continue practicing, participating in shootaround, and to make sure he's able to continue progressing. It's possible, I guess, but Phil made it pretty clear that Bynum would need to be going full speed at practice, absorbing contact, etc. before they'd put him back into a game. Whether he does or not, though, it's still good news. BK
Optimistic news on both fronts.
AK
Best news of the day! Pau to get some PT and Drew right around the corner!
Posted by: toad | April 01, 2008 at 01:25 PM
OK Troops. Good News. I apologize for my absence over the last few days, but I really needed a break.
I see the Troll Man has reappeared. We've already dealt with him though. As well as Fire32. Funs fans are cute. Aren't they?
All will be well again soon.
Posted by: "Pig" Miller | April 01, 2008 at 01:28 PM
Oh happy day!
Posted by: bozz | April 01, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Woo Hoo! Let's go undefeated in April. It's a new month and we can put that ugly late March slump behind us.
Let's all send some positive mojo in the direction of Pau's ankle. He'd be very helpful tomorrow night against the uber-lanky LaMarcaus Aldridge. Remember, Portland is one of those perennial headache teams for us. They're no pushovers, even without Brandon Roy.
Posted by: AimlessDriver | April 01, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Hallelujah!!!!
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | April 01, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Drew....return to action within the next week? GOD IS A GREAT GOD!!!!
Posted by: bonez | April 01, 2008 at 01:34 PM
I cannot wait for Bynum to get back. Only question is, how good will he be when he gets back. Will he have the quickness and jumping ability that allowed him to dominate the boards?
Posted by: ith_yj | April 01, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Run forest... run.
GREAT NEWS!!! I can't wait to see them on the floor at the same time!
Go Lakers.
Posted by: frank rizzo | April 01, 2008 at 01:44 PM
WHAT THIS TEAM NEEDS IS SOME TOUGHNESS, SOMEONE THAT WILL THROW A ELBOW, SOMEONE THAT WILL PLAY WITH PAIN, SOMEONE THAT'S JUST NOT THERE TO CHEER LEAD(AS ONE PLAYER STATED, WONDER HOW MANY MORE ARE THINKIN IT? )
Posted by: KARL MALONE | April 01, 2008 at 01:50 PM
I DEMAND UPDATES NOW.
WHY MUST YOU TEAAAAASE.
Optimistic news on both fronts indeed.
Posted by: Jeff | April 01, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Reinforcements are coming.
Posted by: never | April 01, 2008 at 01:54 PM
Sssshhh, listen, did you hear that???
A collective "Uh-Oh!" from Phioenix, SAS, NO, Utah, et al...
Posted by: ShowtimeTake2 | April 01, 2008 at 01:59 PM
This is good news, indeed!!
AK:
Can you clarify what is the MBA new ruling on playoff roster. Are you allowed up to 15 players and 12 dressed for the games?
Thanks!
Posted by: Robyn | April 01, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Yes!!!! There is hope!!! It's going to be amazing, the first time we see Pau and Bynum on the court, at the same time!!! Don't know how good they will be together, but just the tought of waiting for them for so long!!!
Posted by: DTM_T_MAN | April 01, 2008 at 02:04 PM
WOOOHOOO!!! FRICKEN AWESOME!
Thanks for the update, AK!
Man, Laker Nation is going explode the first game Bynum returns at Staples!
Can hardly wait.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 01, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Yeah! This news could not have come at a better time. Clearly, the players who've been shouldering the burden of extra playing time are simply burnt out and need the relief that AB and PG will bring to the squad.
Good news for the Lakers. Bad news for our Western Conference opponents. Good news also for those signed up for the 55 Win Bandwagon.
I've been clinically depressed since the two losses and Sunday's Win #50 that almost got away. That was good news for the makers of Skyy vodka, but bad news for my waistline and sleep pattern. It's just sick how this team determines my mood and outlook on life.
The Lakers are about to be the true Lakers again. Oh joy, oh joy.
Posted by: Rick Friedman | April 01, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Believe it when I see it.
If I am Vitti I am thinking what is the rush there is next year plus I am not sure if I have diagnosed this correctly yet. I need some time.
All I know is this is one guy who isn't wrapping my ankles.
Being positive, that is the best news I could have received today.
Hope to see The Beast and Maximus in the lineup soon.
If they don't win it all, I still look forward to seeing Gasol and Bynum in the same lineup and playing together. Something tells me it will be SPECIAL!!!
Bynum and Gasol hurry back we need you.
Los Angeles Lakers 2008 World Champions
BD
Posted by: BD | April 01, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Let's hope No Swelling with Pau! AB, holla back next week if ready Big Baby!
Posted by: Charles | April 01, 2008 at 02:11 PM
THANK GOD!!!!!
Posted by: HoustonLaker | April 01, 2008 at 02:13 PM
This is indeed good news! Cautiously optimistic that we will see both Pau and Andrew within the next week.
Thanks for the tease, er...update.
Posted by: HappyCamper | April 01, 2008 at 02:17 PM
hello all,
i've been gone on spring break the past week so haven't really been too involved even though i went to the crazy warriors game last sunday. no clue how we lost to charlotte and memphis but i was bummed when i heard. saw the washington game and was just pleased with the outcome. hopefully we can win some games against some easy squads and stay in the top 4 seeds.
great news on gasol and bynum. cant wait to see them both on the court. its scary, not one person knows how good we actually are.
GO LAKERS
Posted by: mrbarneydangles | April 01, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Great news! Thanks AK!
Posted by: ASM | April 01, 2008 at 02:19 PM
Just keep Pau away from Vlad's feet and he should be alright.
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 01, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Thats great news AK!
Unfortunately it's April Fools day; with the way that the Internet has embraced the holiday, you can't trust anything you read online.
Here's to hoping that your not pulling our leg...
(By the way, I'm pretty sure your not, I just can't be certain. This news is ordinary, not of the typical, outrageous nature that April Fool's jokes are. This woud just be plain mean :P)
Posted by: BynumBeliever | April 01, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Awww sookie sookie!! LOL me, cheesy- cheesin' on the cautious tip!
Finally some happy news..But seein' is believin'
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | April 01, 2008 at 02:26 PM
AK,
Oh yeah, this better not be an April Fools trick!!
:P
Posted by: Lakers Legacy | April 01, 2008 at 02:27 PM
YES! This is all we need to really compete for the title. The energy the guys will get from the return of Gasol and Bynum will carry us through the play offs and into the championship! GO LAKERS!!!!!
Posted by: moustacheswild | April 01, 2008 at 02:28 PM
I haven't posted in a while, but this is good enough news to motivate me. I'll be even more excited if we get a good report on how Pau's ankle responds tomorrow. I especially can't wait to see AB back on the court.
Posted by: Laker Kev | April 01, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Coolsville!!!! Its so good to hear that Pau practiced and Baby Byno ran the floor. So were in my gut I feel as if the Org is pulling a Al Davis and keeping everything in secret. Meaning...I believe Byno has been practicing but in private..i also believe that maybe he is being told to put up a front for all the reporters and what nots to give the illusion that he's still not quite ready. Or I may be just reaching!!!
Posted by: lakeraholic | April 01, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Drew up and running? Might be back in a week? Pau good to go for tomorrow? There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!
Posted by: stevevilakers | April 01, 2008 at 02:38 PM
AK,
"In a nutshell, Pau Gasol participated during all of today's practice and assuming there's no negative reaction as a result of said participation, he should be on the court tomorrow against the Blazers"
Is this one of your April Fools' Joke?
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 01, 2008 at 02:40 PM
I don't know if this has already been mentioned/noted here on the blog, I just checked out Chris MIHM on Lakers.com VIDEO behind the ALTER G Treadmill..
If you havent checked it out already, its good stuff.
Posted by: lakersrydeordie | April 01, 2008 at 02:51 PM
I can only imagine the reaction of the blog once we actually have the two back!
Posted by: Charles | April 01, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Laker Nation
This is no April Fool's joke...........the Times has posted the same info on line!
The light at the end of the tunnel is not, I repeat NOT, a trian coming in our direction!
Posted by: toad | April 01, 2008 at 03:06 PM
told ya that Andrew was closer to coming back then advertised at first. Now the trick is just getting him back into game shape. I think his legs will be alright.
Good to see Pau back too! We're missing our 2nd-3rd most impactful players and still just two games out of first. Hopefully the Lakers can continue to tread into the playoffs. Remember, PJ always talks about peaking at the right moment. Right now the Lakers are pretty down, so the only way is up. PJ wants his team peaking in the WC Finals, so that starts with picking up play round by round.
Posted by: The Lake Show | April 01, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Karl Malone: "Karl Malone"
Posted by: The D | April 01, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Hey folks-
No, we wouldn't screw with your emotions like that. Pau, in theory at least, should be able to play tomorrow (he might start, but don't think that'll mean he could go 40 minutes- PJ said if he plays, he might just go one rotation, they just don't want him warming up, then sitting). As for Drew, I wouldn't look for him to actually play on the trip, but they want him around so he can practice, participate in shootaround, and continue his progress.
Could he play? Sure, I guess, but I wouldn't bet on it. They need to see him go full out at practice, absorb contact, etc. bfore he can play again. The guy has been off the court for a long time now.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | April 01, 2008 at 03:17 PM
AK/BK
My theory on having Drew on the roadie is this:
He's not ready to bang and play just yet, but the time spent in practice with him, Pau and LO on the floor together getting used to spacing and rotations will be of huge upside once he's fully ready. A mini training camp of sorts before the "real" season kicks in.
Things are looking up in Laker Nation!
Posted by: toad | April 01, 2008 at 03:33 PM
EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE PATTIN EACH OTHER ON THE BACK, WHY MIGHT I ASK, DO THEY HAVE A BRONZE STATUE OF THEMSELVES, THAT EVERYONE REVERE'S, AS I DO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: KARL MALONE | April 01, 2008 at 03:33 PM
There is a rumor out there that JonK and Gasol were seen at a health store today...something about sea minerals...
Posted by: BD | April 01, 2008 at 03:36 PM
Laker Practice video!!! Today WATCH IT
http://www.nba.com/lakers/multimedia/0708video.html
Posted by: Botsoy | April 01, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Okay, guys, the thread says, "Just a Tease". That's exactly what it is--BK teasing with us, just like Gary Vitti teasing with us about the expected recovery with all the injuries.(LOL)
I will believe it when I see them on the floor!
Posted by: Robyn | April 01, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Awesome news on April Fool's day Gents....this is one I won't take as a joke!
I see 8-0 to close out the year as the "new kids" get worked back into the system.
Posted by: Bynumite | April 01, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Poor Shaq, so misunderstood. Look how the media mistreats him:
Reporter: Shaq ran Van Gundy off
Posted: Tuesday April 01, 2008 05:33AM ET
An on-line reporter who regularly covers the Magic maintained Stan Van Gundy's exit had nothing to do with Pat Riley and everything to do with Shaquille O'Neal, who didn't appreciate being jerked in and out, especially in the pivotal minutes of tight games. "Shaq often disrespected Stan," the reporter disclosed. "Sometimes it was done playfully. More likely it was meant contemptuously." And it was loud enough so everyone could hear - teammates, the media, courtside fans, anybody within earshot. That season, while on the inactive list, Shaq was making snide and insensitive comments on the bench and during timeouts. The senselessness of trying to coach Shaq was not lost on Van Gundy. What rubbed him the rawest? It may very well have been the nickname. Nobody's more adept (mocking) at branding people, including himself. According to the reporter, Shaq would refer to Van Gundy as porn star Ron Jeremy, whom he strongly resembles, at least from the neck up.
New York Post
Sounds like what he did to Van Exel, Jones, Cambell, Kobe, Pat Riley, Tex Winter, Penny, Chris Quinn, Ricky Davis, Del Harris, Kurt Rambis.
But on the bright side, he sure loved Benoit Benjamin.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | April 01, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Poor Shaq, so misunderstood. Look how the media mistreats him:
Reporter: Shaq ran Van Gundy off
Posted: Tuesday April 01, 2008 05:33AM ET
An on-line reporter who regularly covers the Magic maintained Stan Van Gundy's exit had nothing to do with Pat Riley and everything to do with Shaquille O'Neal, who didn't appreciate being jerked in and out, especially in the pivotal minutes of tight games. "Shaq often disrespected Stan," the reporter disclosed. "Sometimes it was done playfully. More likely it was meant contemptuously." And it was loud enough so everyone could hear - teammates, the media, courtside fans, anybody within earshot. That season, while on the inactive list, Shaq was making snide and insensitive comments on the bench and during timeouts. The senselessness of trying to coach Shaq was not lost on Van Gundy. What rubbed him the rawest? It may very well have been the nickname. Nobody's more adept (mocking) at branding people, including himself. According to the reporter, Shaq would refer to Van Gundy as porn star Ron Jeremy, whom he strongly resembles, at least from the neck up.
New York Post
Sounds like what he did to Van Exel, Jones, Cambell, Kobe, Pat Riley, Tex Winter, Penny, Chris Quinn, Ricky Davis, Del Harris, Kurt Rambis.
But on the bright side, he sure loved Benoit Benjamin.
Wes
Posted by: wesjoenixon | April 01, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Yeah, but remember how he took Mark Madsen out clothes shopping? So what if he spent the other 23 hours a day being The Big Locker Room Cancer.
I hope the Lakers never retire his jersey. Give #34 to Ira Newble. At least he isn't a jealous jackass like the out-of-shape whale who used to wear the number.
Posted by: Jman449 | April 01, 2008 at 04:09 PM
"BK teasing with us, just like Gary Vitti teasing with us about the expected recovery with all the injuries.(LOL)"
good one hahaha
rejoice! Bynum has recovered quicker than expected from his amputation injury! It was only a short four months ago when Bynum had his leg chewed off by a Grizzly and now look at him! Miracuously healed by Gary Vitti! Boy, if we didn't have Vitti to cure amputa...
oh yeah. i forgot. it was a tear, not an amputation. that kinda makes a big difference in the whole "quick recovery" thing, doesn't it?
Posted by: CBuck | April 01, 2008 at 04:10 PM
I'm not a religious man...but THANK GOD!!!
Posted by: thedropper | April 01, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Hey Y'all,
I'm headed to the Lakers "Town Hall Meeting" in a little bit. If I can get a question in to Mitch, I'm definitely going to ask what's up with the training staff, and I'll post when I get back if I have anything to share.
Woot!
-Weatherman
Posted by: J.W. Weatherman | April 01, 2008 at 04:23 PM
BD:
That was a jar of dit da jau!
Wes:
Yeah, Shaq is so nisunderstood. I remember him shouting at Dr. Jerry "are you gonna pay me now!!!!!"............poor guy never gets a break.
Posted by: toad | April 01, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Wes,
The Big Ego sure has a lot of issues.
GO LAKERS!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 01, 2008 at 04:30 PM